Sport
Ammanford and Neyland in last four
IN THE SOUTH-WEST group of the Welsh Cup, South Wales Premier league Ammanford had a walk over into round three as Pembrokeshire’s Haverfordwest, who run four Saturday XI’s were unable to raise a team to travel to Ammanford Park.
In the all Pembrokeshire battle between Kilgetty and Whitland at Kingsmoor last Sunday (Jun 3), the visitors progressed by 66 runs. Batting first Whitland were 14-2 and 52-5 before Jack Bowen and captain Iestyn Scourfield put together a seventh wicket stand of 79.
Bowen fell having it four sixes and six fours in his 65 when he was bowled by Andrew Evans [3-20] who also accounted for Scourfield [24; 1 four] in the same manner one run later. Last man Gethin Benjamin hit three fours in his 21* as Whitland finished on 179ao in the 38th over.
Ross Hardy [2-40] and spinner Kurtis Marsh [3-31] bowled well at the start of the visitors innings and post tea the Kilgetty response revolved around opening batsmen, teenager Marsh.
The Pembroke County senior player scored 59, stroking one six and nine fours before he fell to Scourfield with the score on 91. Jonathan Harris [10], Andrew Evans [10], Levi Hughes [14*] and former Welsh international wicketkeeper, Ian Poole [11] were the only other batsmen in double figures, as paceman Scourfield took 4-18 and spinner Jonathan Thomas [3-20] to dominate the key overs in the game.
The game ended when Poole fell again to a catch by Matthew Thomas in the 35th over off Gethin Benjamin [1-7], with the score on 144.
Another Pembrokeshire side Neyland travelled to Aberaeron with a youthful eleven but it was the experienced Nick Kooman, Patrick Bellerby and Henry Durrant who were the stars as the visitors posted a huge 392-4 off 40 overs.
Opening batsman Kooman fell for 84 [4 sixes; 8 fours] with the score on 173, before Bellerby and Durrant added 162 for the third wicket.
Bellerby was stumped for 176 by David Floyd off Simon Mitchell [2- 66], having hit 13 sixes and 15 fours and Durrant finished with 100* having smashed seven sixes and nine fours as Paul Hughes conceded 118 runs from his eight overs, with the last six overs of the innings being dispatched for 105 runs.
Chris Strange [70; 2 sixes; 10 fours] and wicketkeeper Floyd [31; 7 fours] put together a fifth wicket partnership of 74 before Floyd fell on 115 to the second of three catches from Bellerby.
Strange fell on 141, with opening bowler Mitchell [18] and the last pair of Nick Jones [14*; 2 fours] and Hughes [9*] finishing the game on 187-9.
Skipper Sean Hannon [2-42] used six other bowlers, as youngsters Tom Pritchard [2-15] and Geraint Rees [2-35] bowled well on the artificial surface at Aberaeron School as the Pembrokeshire ‘All Whites’ progressed by 205 runs.
Llangennech made the trip to play South Wales Premier League Pontarddulais and were bundled out for 46 against their South Wales Premier opponents.
Only skipper Matthew Jones with 23 [3 fours] following up his unbeaten 94 the previous day had any answer to ‘the Bont’ attack. Daffydd Davies [3-3] and Tomos Folwer [3-11] backed up opening pair of Dan Lewis Williams [1-14] and William Jones [2-17] to end the visitor’s innings in the 21st over.
Owen Thomas top scored in the reply of 47-2 with four boundaries in his 23, as the game ended in the 16th over.
Round 3 – Games to be played on Sunday (June 25)
• Ammanford v Neyland
• Pontardullais v Whitland
The winners of the fixtures will progress to an open draw in the National Quarter Finals, to be played on Sunday, July 9, with the final to be held at The Gnoll, Neath on Sunday, August 20.
News
Tigers second division Cup Champions
In a thrilling Pembrokeshire Division Two Cup final under the floodlights of Bridge Meadow Stadium, fans witnessed an epic battle between Monkton Swifts reserves and Johnston. Despite Monkton Swifts reserves being touted as favorites, Johnston proved their mettle from the outset.
The game kicked off with a burst of energy as Johnston’s center half, Craig Bendall, seized an early opportunity to put his team ahead just ten minutes into the match. However, Monkton Swifts’ prolific Scotsman, Davis, swiftly responded with an equalizer, showcasing the resilience of the favourites.
The momentum shifted again when the dynamic duo of Alfie and Scott Crawford of Johnston orchestrated a beautifully executed goal, putting Johnston back in the lead at 2-1.
As the game progressed, Monkton Swifts brought in reinforcements, including Ben Steele, to regain control. Their efforts paid off when Jordan Kilby leveled the score at 2-2 with just under 20 minutes remaining.
But the Crawfords had other plans. Combining once more, Scott provided the assist for Alfie, who coolly finished to put Johnston ahead once again.
With time running out, Monkton Swifts launched a relentless onslaught in search of an equalizer. However, Johnston’s defense held firm, defying the odds to clinch the Division Two Cup title in a memorable victory.
The match showcased the passion and determination of both teams, with Johnston emerging as deserving champions in a fiercely contested final at Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Sport
Promotion, relegation and everything in between.
As we come to the end of the 2023-2024 season it’s time to look at the winners and losers so to speak as most promotion and relegation battles are now all sewn up.
We begin at the very top where Goodwick United have blown away the first division to become deserved champions elect. At the opposite end of the table Fishguard Sports struggled all season and we comfortably relegated, going down with them are Neyland who’s relegation was confirmed a few weeks ago. Neither team were cut adrift and battled right until the end which is credit to both outfits, sometimes relegation can act as a spring broad and both clubs will be hoping this is the case.
Monkton Swifts reserves were the outstanding team in the second division and were a cut above the rest on their journey to becoming league champions on 56 points with an impressive plus 61 goal difference. As Monkton can’t be promoted due to their first team being in the first division it allowed both Herbrandston and St Ishmaels to be promoted. Herbrandston finished in third on 40 points, whilst the Mice just beat them to second place ending up on 42 points. Both clubs will now use the summer to prepare for the step up that awaits.
At the opposite end of the division, Cosheston never really got going and after their points deduction ended on a lowly 6 points which is never going to be enough to avoid relegation. The second relegation place was much closer with St Clears, Carew reserves and Broad Haven all being in a dog fight for the majority of the season. Broad Haven showed good fight and character which steered them clear of trouble while Carew found form at a key time, which means St Clears will play their football in the third division next season.
Sport
Fox’s Fantastic Clarby shock the county to win Senior Cup
Strong favourites Goodwick United were expected by many to be lifting the senior cup again come Saturday afternoon. However Clarbeston Road had other ideas, we warned they were a dangerous opponent with pressure off, this proved to be the case.
A healthy crowd at the Bridge Meadow were treated to an excellent final, often cagey perhaps boring affairs this final was far from boring. It took just seven minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Clarby captain Rheinallt George put the underdogs ahead. However just before the twenty minute mark his opposite number in Scott Delaney squared things up with a trademark header.
Goodwick then took the lead when another set piece caused problems for Clarby who failed to deal with a free kick before Rhys Dalling latched onto the loose ball to volley his team into the lead. However the lead was short lived as the impressive Jake Booth found the net at the second time of asking to make it all square at the break.
Halfway through the second half another set piece led to the equaliser when Matthew Davies headed home a Laurie Haworth corner. Goodwick manager O’Sullivan rung the changes in search of a way to find an equaliser. Newly introduced striker Nathan Greene was fouled in the box and Rhys Jones had the chance to level the cup final, however Rhys Mansell had other ideas and he saved the penalty. The save gave his team a huge boast and belief that this could be their day, and indeed it was.
Most of the season we have hyped up the quality and character of this Clarby team and praised Matthew Fox and his players. Fox has done a excellent job and this is just rewards, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Clarby began this cup run by beating Hakin who have dominated this cup for so many years. An excellent achievement for all involved and an interesting plot going into next season, will Clarby be able to challange Goodwick in the league also.
For Goodwick it’ll be a bitterly disappointing defeat in a season of such dominance just the one trophy will be the least most expected from this quality side. Many thought Goodwick would win the treble and they were certainly capable, which will be the frustrating factor for the Goodwick management.
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